We often don’t realize the wealth of our own country and consider another country more favorably than ours. This video will open our eyes to how great has been our growth, an apt exercise as we near to our Republic Day celebrations!
Month: November 2016
CULTURED, REALLY?
Recently I had an occasion to be in a tourist destination and the place had a dress code for women. They asked that women be covered to below their knees. Most people visiting the place did not demur to this simple code, as they helpfully provided a covering if your dress did not match up to the prescribed standard.
Up came a family with two small kids below ten years and a son between 10-14 years. The mother was requested kindly to cover her knees and help was offered for it. The boy became offended with this restriction and refused to go further into the place. His belligerence caused the mother also to stay back at the entrance, while the father and other kids went on.
Dictionary defines tourist as a person who travels to a place for pleasure or one that makes a tour for pleasure or culture. However, most often the tourist may tend to behave in a way that may offend the very culture they have come to sample. Tourist may end up giving displeasure while taking their pleasure.
When traveling or visiting different nations or place, it is important to understand the nuances of the area being toured. Culture, customs and traditions vary from place to place, region to region and continent to continent. The very joy of travel and tourism does not lie in mere sightseeing, but also in sampling and marveling at the rich and varied culture that is in different parts or portions of the globe. If everything was the same everywhere, travel or tourism would be monotonous, stereotyped, mechanical, robotic and dull.
The boy probably felt insulted that his mother was asked to adhere to something and that she had the right to dress as she wanted. Guess he forgot that one’s right ends where another one’s begins. Guess he also forgot that when visiting some one else home, you must behave with the etiquette due from a guest!
A little background reading and research on the internet can help the most reluctant traveler enjoy their trip, without getting offended or giving offense.!
SONG OF THE PAST
“There was nothing left, you know”, she whispered. “After the Arab Legion captured the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem where she lived, everything was destroyed. Everything. It was a miracle that the cello survived. And then for nineteen years the Arabs would not let any Jew come home. No one to visit her grave.” She faltered. “Or my father’s.” “Elsa knew you would want her letters.” “All my life I have longed for some word from my mother. All…no matter how wonderful others may be…” She touched her hand to her heart. “I never stopped wishing for her! Sometimes in the music I heard her voice. In the music I thought I could almost feel her holding me.” Tikvah brushed away her tears and shrugged, embarrassed by her emotion.
*Friday Fictioneers is talented group of enthusiasts penning down a story, a poem, a prose, etc., expressing their heart about a photo prompt, every week. Thanks for this week’s beautiful photo prompt © Björn Rudberg
This is an excerpt from the book JERUSALEM INTERLUDE by Bodie Thoene, book 4 in the Zion Covenant series by Bodie & Brock Thoene. Opening in 1936, the Zion Covenant series tells the courageous and compelling stories of those who risk everything to stand against the growing tide of Nazi terrorism that is sweeping through central Europe under the dangerous and deceitful guise of Hitler’s Third Reich.
I love this series that lays out in graphic detail the poignancy and plight of a genocide, which we hardly ever really comprehend.
For more details, see
https://www.tyndale.com/p/zion-covenant-4-jerusalem-interlude/9781414301105
FLOODED AGAIN, NIGHTMARE RETURNS!
Last year we were swamped with floods and the whole city suffered a loss. A loss that was man made and something that could have been avoided with a little more care, thinking through the issues and prompt appropriate action.
This year the same loss, only in a different sector, with the not just the city but the whole country reeling with its impact.
This again something is that could have been avoided with little more forethought, compassion and planning.
Unfortunately, the latest economic reform violates this basic principle of good governance. Its the innocent law abiding citizens who have become the victims of what was meant for the lawless.
Has it been worth it???😢
OLD & GOLD!
Darling, doesn't that structure resemble a Ther? Mom, what is a Ther? Ther is a chariot. It was used in our country in the past by the rich,especially the royalty. Therpadai (chariot army) also formed a division of a kingdom's army, augmenting its infantry & cavalry. This is beautiful structure, Wish we had such shapes back home. Oh, we do have. You have seen them in Valluvar Kottam too! In almost every village, you can see a Ther. These days they are used in temple festivals. Only you haven't noticed them, being busy with your cellphones! Really? Anything else? There is a famous story of a King who gave sacrificed his Ther in order to support a drooping mullai flower creeper! *Friday Fictioneers is talented group of enthusiasts penning down a story, a poem, a prose, etc., expressing their heart about a photo prompt, every week. Thanks for this week’s beautiful photo prompt © Sandra Crook. Ther is Tamil word for chariot. Therpadai means an army of chariots. Here are some pictures of these.
GOLDEN CHARIOT KING PAARI HELPING A FLOWERING PLANT
Ther as a means of transportationVALLUVAR KOTTAM, A TOURIST ATTRACTION IN CHENNAI, THE CAPITAL OF THE S.INDIAN STATE OF TAMIL NADU
MULLINGSPICE 